Living with one GRAIL watch ?

[DAC2]

Originally Posted by AF_Rob

If you attain this grail, once you get used to it, it potentially won't make you as happy as you thought. Like living in a big house when you didn't live in one growing up. Once you get used to it, it's just "home".

Me personally when it comes to collecting, I do have a grail (ALS Zeitwerk Minute Repeater) that is totally out of reach from a practical sense. I've already hit the ceiling on what I would be willing to spend on a single piece and the ALS is lightyears above that. It will stay a dream, which is partly the point, I think.

In my real world, there are 2 pieces (16040M/16570 polar) that speak to my taste, personality and time in my life when I lusted for them, attained them, and they are in my collection to stay. The others may at some point rotate out.

If your grail is more within reach (with a DD in your collection, I'm sure it is) and you have no emotional attachment to anything else, I'd say go for it. You are right, life is way too short. So I guess I went a bit full circle on this one.

Love your insight. you hit on something... with me it IS about an emotional attachment. There are some things in life that i cant help having an emotional attachment to. A watch is one of them. My first Platinum DD i had for 20 years... I was VERY attached but when i found out that the newer DD's had solid links..... then i got the itch to trade for one of those.
My grail is in reach but stupid expensive.... so...still weighing that. Thanks for your comment.

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Originally Posted by dafuture

I couldn't. I'd be too nervous wearing one of my grails daily in NYC.

I TOTALLY understand THAT !

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Originally Posted by Tricolore66

The issue is that if it’s really a special watch it loses some of that when you wear it all the time. I think you’d like to reserve the special watch for special occasions. It should be a treat to wear it.

With me.... a REALLY special watch is something i want to wear ALL the time and live with it daily that way. I see special as something to wear other jewelry with it. I guess its a girl thing that way.... but a special watch is like a special mate to me. I want it with me all the time. lol
Now i am starting to sound like a really sick bitch. LOL But i have always been that way about watches.

[DAC2]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

The answer lies with who you are, and in this hobby, you have to know who you are. (It probably wouldn't hurt in life, either. )

I know, for example, I couldn't live with one watch, even if it was a grail...not to mention the fact once you get it, it no longer carries that status.

No, these days, I've come to understand, for me anyway, my collection is the "grail." Because I know it will never be perfect, but the fun of it lies in the shaping of it, the thinning and the adding.

I think this is a healthy way to see it. Thanks

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Originally Posted by BlondesNwatches

What’s your grail?

I will tell what it is.... just not right at the moment. Because... my question here is not about a particular reference.. but the idea of living with ONLY your GRAIL watch.... whatever it would be.

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Originally Posted by Mr Ben

I was almost pleased to see the grail price disappear upwards in all the hype to the point it was way more than I would ever pay. That made the decision not to buy one easy.

Prices are coming down fast and it’s now more than I should pay. But. I could do it which makes it dangerous to look it! I’d be happy with it for a while - maybe a year, maybe 3. Then I’d tell myself it was already spent money by that point and I could buy again - probably start picking up everyday watches convincing myself they are comparatively cheap and it would start all over again…

HAHAHA ! I love this ! Thanks

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Originally Posted by Agamemnon

In their own way, my watches are all the Grails!
But if you like, my Grail is this Daytona.
However, I cannot deprive myself of the other watches, just like I do with the women.

Ahhhh !!! I have heard THAT one before ! GOOD for YOU !
You know yourself !

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Originally Posted by alphadweller

This^.

There is no grail, it's an illusion. Once you get it, there'll always be the next piece looming on the horizon, ready to strike. There's no exit watch. Thus you could very well carry on adding all sorts of watches despite your grail.

You wake up one day and you find it too heavy, not rugged, you don't like the attention from people, you don't feel safe on the street with it, scratches annoy you, you miss your good old beaters and not so beaters etc etc.

Also, no matter how great the grail is, you're not gonna want to wear it every day in any situation.

You know what it's like in this hobby, grass is always greener with the next watch on the wrist.

SEE! Thats the thing about me ! I DO like wearing ONE watch everyday !
I did for MANY YEARS ! It was like my buddy ! Its only been recently that I actually bought more than one watch. BUT... I really am a one watch girl. I am NOT a collector ! I have since sold 2 of my 3 watches.. and am now down to ONE... and its going to be the one i use to trade in for my grail. I'll be back to only one watch. So i dont know.... not sure exactly what i am gonna do here. Thanks for your comment.

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Originally Posted by macrowatch

If 95% of budget went to one grail, I found a second watch to be very useful to switch on/off making the 'grail' a sustainable near daily wearer.

I actually do have a watch like that. Its a GREAT inexpensive ' second '
watch for certain times i might need it. I dont wear it much... but its there.

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Originally Posted by brandrea

This recent thread is an interesting read. For many the grail concept is non existent or fluid

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=878073

Thanks for this... I'll read it when i get more time.

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Originally Posted by Lesnerelli23

I couldn’t have less than two.

I do have my grail, and I’ve really been thinking about this lately and considering a consolidation. I know my grail is pretty moderate compared to others’. It’s my 116610LN. When I wear it, I always think “why do I even have other watches?”. The answer is partly because I’m physically disabled and from time to time I need to wear something more lightweight. I also like to wear something less conspicuous when traveling to certain places.

Therefore I could have my Sub and one other that is lightweight and draws no attention. But, alas, I have 9 watches and I can’t seem to part with any lol


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If you feel that way then you should NOT part with any. Good for you !

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Originally Posted by anodyne13

I think if the term “grail watch” is even in your vocabulary you are not a one watch person.

Not sure what you mean here but to me... the grail watch is the watch
you really want most. Maybe I have that wrong but thats what it means to me.

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Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Just owning a Rolex is my grail. I've always wanted one, but couldn't afford it. Now I can afford it, so I purchased two...my 1966 vintage Rolex, and my DJ which I wear everyday. I love it. I still wear my TAG on the weekends though.

Happy for you ! Thats GREAT !

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Originally Posted by noshake

AP Skeleton would be my pick. But it'd be like having one pair of shoes. Could never own just one.

HAHAHA ! YES ! I understand that ! YOU are RIGHT !
Who could ever do with one pair of shoes !

[Wpalmer03]

I don't really believe in grails either. There are watches I would like to collect at some point, and that list is fluid and changes. I think the "one watch" question is kind of separate from grails. If you told me I HAD TO pick one watch to wear forever, then I would find it a more interesting discussion.

This week it would probably be an Aquanaut Travel Time. Last week it was an Overseas Dual Time Everest edition.

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OK... thanks everyone for your comments. I have come to the conclusion after reading all this that there are people that are one watch people ...

AND... there are others that are REALLY collectors ! Those of you that like having alot of watches to switch off.... you have a different mindset from those who just see the ONE watch as the only one they want to wear.

Now i totally understand needing a beach watch.... a watch for a high crime area.... a gym watch etc. SO yes... that makes ALOT of sense.

I guess i was just asking if... you could have the ONE watch you REALLY wanted... would that be it for you? or... would the itch continue ?

I will tell you.... I have ALWAYS owned day-dates.... and i have ... at times.. worked in HIGH crime cities ( ie... Washington DC) and I have ALWAYS worn my watches. The trick to THAT is.... NOBODY EVER sees the watch !

YEP... I have gone YEARS working with people i know who NEVER knew i had a PM watch on.
Because i am a female that wears alot of dresses... I cant hide the watch under the sleeve of a suit.... BUT ! I HAVE to hide it.
So my solution is to cover it on my wrist. I have a series of colorful little stretchy wristbands of a very soft printed material that i have sewn and wear
OVER the watch.

They look like a sweat band you would use in a gym or for tennis.. but they are not thick like that. They just look like pretty little wristbands.

NOT a SOUL has EVER guessed there was anything under them. lol
This has gone on for years with great success. lol

I have to tell you.... The watches i have owned have not been for anyone but me. Nobody really sees them but me. I didnt buy them for anyone else to see. I just happen to be a watch freak ... but its only for my eyes.

Now you must think i am insane.... but thats the way i am. So nobody will see the grail either.... if i get it. Still not sure yet.
But i wondered what you guys thought about owning one watch and maybe a second cheaper one for certain other things.

OK.... thanks again for all your posts. You have given me alot to think about.
I will surely tell you what i decide to do... and post a pic of the GRAIL if i get it.
We'll see. lol Sorry for rambling on for so long.

[tymonster]

I got my grail watch last week to celebrate a new job as well as an upcoming (not so important 39th bday). And mostly because I was ready. I've enjoyed many Rolex over the years along with several other great brands that make some awesome watches. After just a few days with my VC (aside from keeping a watch for the beach/vacations/pool and of course a G-shock for yard work) I can't see myself ever going back. Nothing I've had in the past or currently wears, feels, or gives me a sense of "wow" like this does. And one of the great parts about it for me is no one in my circle, personal or professional, has any clue what it is. I’ve heard plenty about the Rolex watches I wear from people at work. My older neighbor calls me “Rolex Boy”. How refreshing that no one pays any attention to a Vacheron.

Maybe I'll try to add a vintage sub with some crazy character that’s so unpolished it looks like a beat up Seiko with fire orange markers down the road to get back to what really got me into this hobby. Maybe a Lange once I'm at a point in life where I can stomach the price because they are just beautiful (though at this stage I'm not much of a PM/dressier watch kind guy). But for the next long while, I am so happy with the choices I've made to get here.

You can definitely be a one watch (OK maybe 2 watch) guy.


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[DAC2]

Originally Posted by tymonster

I got my grail watch last week to celebrate a new job as well as an upcoming (not so important 39th bday). And mostly because I was ready. I've enjoyed many Rolex over the years along with several other great brands that make some awesome watches. After just a few days with my VC (aside from keeping a watch for the beach/vacations/pool and of course a G-shock for yard work) I can't see myself ever going back. Nothing I've had in the past or currently wears, feels, or gives me a sense of "wow" like this does. And one of the great parts about it for me is no one in my circle, personal or professional, has any clue what it is. I’ve heard plenty about the Rolex watches I wear from people at work. My older neighbor calls me “Rolex Boy”. How refreshing that no one pays any attention to a Vacheron.

Maybe I'll try to add a vintage sub with some crazy character that’s so unpolished it looks like a beat up Seiko with fire orange markers down the road to get back to what really got me into this hobby. Maybe a Lange once I'm at a point in life where I can stomach the price because they are just beautiful (though at this stage I'm not much of a PM/dressier watch kind guy). But for the next long while, I am so happy with the choices I've made to get here.

You can definitely be a one watch (OK maybe 2 watch) guy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YES... and very under the radar ! thats a beautiful piece. Congrats and wear it always in good health !

I know how you feel about wearing particular watch and being SO THRILLED with it... you dont want anything else. Thats what happen to me when a good friend of mine lent me THEIR watch for 24 hours and i just FELL IN LOVE with it. I hated to give it back.
LOL oh YEAH ! I think i must be NUTZ !
So... now THATS the one thats my grail.

I dont know.... maybe i am just crazy. who knows.
Your VC ! GREAT WATCH !